Remembering Chae Dongha, The K-Pop Group Leader Who Passed Away At 29

The eternal leader of the group SG Wannabe, the late Chae Dongha, passed away 15th years ago today.

Chae Dongha was found dead at his home in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, on May 26, 2011, at the age of 30.

At the request of his family, the police conducted an autopsy and stated that “no signs of foul play were found.” It was known that he was receiving outpatient treatment for depression at the time.

The late artist debuted as a solo singer in 2002 and had been active as a member of SG Wannabe alongside Kim Yongjun and Kim Jinho since 2004. He released several hit songs such as “Timeless,” “Sin and Punishment,” “As We Live,” “Partner For Life,” and “Arirang,” earning great love. As the leader of the team, he left the group in 2008, and Lee Seokhoon filled his place.

Chae Dongha also pursued a solo career, releasing songs like “How Can I Forget,” “Crazy Day,” and “Feels Like Yesterday.” His death was all the more shocking as he had an overseas performance scheduled for the day after his passing, and a mini-album showcase and birthday party were less than a month away.

Fans and the public still miss his voice deeply. In 2021, with the start of the “MSG Wannabe Project” on Hangout with Yoo, SG Wannabe’s classic songs were spotlighted again, and fans expressed their heartfelt longing for him.

Kim Jinho appeared on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block and mentioned the late Chae Dongha, saying, “There have been farewells, and many stories about life have come up.” He added, “At this moment, I want to share my voice like a diary with people,” expressing his yearning for the late Chae Dongha.